Moscow: No change in German position.. Russian welcome for North Korean support and potential Lavrov-Rubio meeting
Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow reports continued advance, 1,270 Ukrainian losses in 24 hours
The Kremlin denied any fundamental shift in the German position toward Moscow despite reports of a constructive approach, while the Russian Defense Ministry announced continued advances and inflicting 1,270 Ukrainian troops losses in 24 hours, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised relations with North Korea and its support for Russia in Kursk.
German position and Kremlin stance
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a press briefing on Monday that the Kremlin hears “many statements and discussions” among European politicians, including Germans, but that this “is not reflected in the actual policies” of these countries, according to news agencies.
Peskov’s comments came in response to a report by The Times newspaper about a constructive approach by Berlin in this direction.
Peskov stressed that Russia remains open to dialogue and has never initiated the reduction of relations with Berlin, adding that Moscow would benefit from the experience gained during this period when dialogue resumes in the future.
Prospects for Lavrov-Rubio meeting
In response to a Reuters question about statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which he did not rule out a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov this week, Peskov said that recent days have seen no contacts through official diplomatic channels between Moscow and Washington, namely through the two countries’ foreign ministries.
Peskov added that ongoing contacts are “of a technical nature,” noting that any meeting at the foreign minister level would be welcomed by the Russian side.
🇬🇧 🇩🇪 Die britische Zeitung #TheTimes will eine “Stimmungsänderung” der Bundesregierung im Kontakt mit Russland erkannt haben. Mehrere Pläne würden umgesetzt, um Kommunikationskanäle zu öffnen.
🇷🇺 In der heutigen Pressekonferenz des Kreml fragte die Korrespondentin der… pic.twitter.com/j1l7l08HeJ— Kristian_B 🇷🇺 ❤️ 🇩🇪 (@Dr_C_Becker) July 20, 2026
Military developments in Ukraine
On the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry announced in its daily briefing on the military operation in Ukraine continued advances and inflicting 1,270 Ukrainian troops losses in 24 hours, with continued strikes on infrastructure, fuel, energy, transport, and drone assembly centers.
According to the statement, the Black Sea Fleet destroyed two Ukrainian naval drones, while Geran drones targeted trains carrying military cargo in Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine.
The statement also noted the improvement of the tactical position of “North” forces, inflicting 145 troops losses, “West” forces seizing positions and strategic lines, inflicting 210 troops losses, “Center” forces inflicting 350 troops losses, “East” forces advancing deeper and inflicting 505 troops losses, and “Dnipro” forces inflicting 60 troops losses.
Russian air defense systems shot down 8 guided bombs, 4 HIMARS rockets, and 917 Ukrainian drones.
Lavrov praises North Korea’s support
In a separate context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised relations between Russia and North Korea, noting that the leaders of the two countries, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, maintain continuous contacts based on mutual trust, during his meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui in Moscow.
Lavrov said: “Continuous communication between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Comrade Kim Jong-un, based on mutual trust, is of great importance,” noting their attendance in Beijing on September 3 for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan.
Lavrov praised North Korean army fighters and their contribution “with their lives and souls” to the liberation of Russia’s Kursk region, stressing that “the Russian people will not forget their heroism.”
He said: “This was most clearly demonstrated in the Kursk region, where North Korean army soldiers fought alongside our fighters for Russian land as if it were their own, and contributed with their lives to liberating this land from Ukrainian Nazis and foreign mercenaries.”
Lavrov continued: “Our people will never forget the exceptional heroism, courage, and dedication of the Korean servicemen during the battles alongside us in the same trench against a common enemy.”
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